Midterm Study Guide Flashcards
(41 cards)
What do people mean when they talk about the reception of classical culture?
How parts of the ancient past are woven into our current world and lives.
Give examples of classical culture reception?
Modern architecture, books, movies, pottery, and poetry
Describe Egyptian writing?
Hieroglyphics used pictures instead of a word and language was controlled by very few since so many pictures were required to learn. Since ~3100 BC
Describe Ugarit writing?
Called cuneiform. Lived in a marshy area, would dip reeds into clay, drag them onto stone, bake these, and send them as letters. Introduced syllables so way less pictures needed to learn. In ~1400s
Describe Phoenician writing?
Created an alphabet of 22 letters, only consonants. Semitic language, the base of many languages. In ~1100s
Describe Greek writing?
Adopted Phoenician alphabet, but changed a bit, added vowels. In ~700s, and 402 BC they took a vote deciding on letter shape
Why is the development of Greek writing from Egyptian writing important?
Through this influence, a written way of communication allowed the spread of literacy, law, and education
What can we learn from Socrates’ story about being the smartest?
We can learn to know the limits of our knowledge and abilities, and not claim to be or do more than that
Why does Socrates think he’s the wisest?
He was willing to admit his ignorance rather than pretend to know, which he thought made him wise
What did the Presocratics do?
Began to ask different, more philosophical kinds of questions based in rationale and critical thought
What did Socrates do?
Started a tradition of questioning, taught Plato, lived in 400s, died in 399
What did Plato do?
Early on, echoed his teacher Socrates, then came into his own ideas. Concerned with the heavens, and taught Aristotle
What did Aristotle do?
Focused on patterns, math, and biology, and believed there is no pattern from heaven but only within us. Thought if we wanted to learn about humans, to study humans, and taught Alexander the Great
What did Solon do?
Canceled indebtedness, so was a champion of the poor, and tried to create a middle class to give citizens more power. His main idea was moderation and while he somewhat failed, he helped lay a foundation
Who was Draco?
Wrote laws before Solon, inspired the phrase Draconian for archaic/strict with those laws
List the 3 pillars of reforms of Cleisthenes?
Ostracism, organized, assembly and council
Describe the ostracism aspect of Cleisthenes’ reforms?
Voting to exile for 10 years, given 10 days to prepare, served as ‘check and balance’ on anyone gaining power
Describe the organized aspect of Cleisthenes’ reforms?
Split up by counties
Describe the assembly and council aspect of Cleisthenes’ reforms?
Created geographically diverse governing bodies allowed for diverse opinions, assembly proposed/discussed proboulema, council made decisions
Why were the reforms of Cleisthenes important?
Established the basis of Athenian democracy, and based individual political responsibility on citizenship rather than membership in a clan
What is the story of the Persian Wars?
Greek city-states rebelled against Persian control, Persia invaded Greece, and Persia ultimately lost
Why was the Persian War significant?
Much of Persia’s fleet was destroying, halting their expanse, and Greece city-states began to see themselves as whole and recognized their combined power
What was Achilles promised if he fought?
Money, seven Lesbos women, a choice of 3 daughters, cities, etc.
Why did Achilles reject the offer of rewards to fight?
Prophecy from his mom that he could stay and die in glory or go home and live long; later because of Patroclus
